United States v. Davila

Holding: When a federal judge participates in plea negotiations, contrary to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11(c),the defendant's guilty plea does not need to be vacated if there is no evidence in the record of prejudice to the defendant’s decision to plead guilty.

Judgment: Vacated and remanded, 9-0, in an opinion by Justice Ginsburg on June 13, 2013. Justice Scalia filed an opinion concurring in part and concurring in the judgment, in which Justice Thomas joined.

Judgment VACATED and case REMANDED. Ginsburg, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Roberts, C. J., and Kennedy, Breyer, Alito, Sotomayor, and Kagan, JJ., joined. Scalia, J., filed an opinion concurring in part and concurring in the judgment, in which Thomas, J., joined.

Jul 15 2013

JUDGMENT ISSUED.

Jul 24 2013

Record returned to U.S.C.A. for 11th Circuit.

Jul 24 2013

Record returned to U.S.D.C. for the Southern District of Georgia.

Holding: When a federal judge participates in plea negotiations, contrary to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11(c),the defendant’s guilty plea does not need to be vacated if there is no evidence in the record of prejudice to the defendant’s decision to plead guilty.

Judgment: Vacated and remanded, 9-0, in an opinion by Justice Ginsburg on June 13, 2013. Justice Scalia filed an opinion concurring in part and concurring in the judgment, in which Justice Thomas joined.